Exercise barriers in Korean colorectal cancer patients Journal Article


Authors: Kang, D. W.; Chung, J. Y.; Lee, M. K.; Lee, J.; Park, J. H.; Kim, D. I.; Jones, L. W.; Ahn, J. B.; Kim, N. K.; Jeon, J. Y.
Article Title: Exercise barriers in Korean colorectal cancer patients
Abstract: Background: It has been proved that participating in exercise improves colorectal cancer patients' prognosis. This study is to identify barriers to exercise in Korean colorectal cancer patients and survivors. Materials and Methods: A total of 427 colorectal cancer patients and survivors from different stages and medical status completed a self-administered questionnaire that surveyed their barriers to exercise and exercise participation. Results: The greatest perceived exercise barriers for the sampled population as a whole were fatigue, low level of physical fitness, and poor health. Those under 60-years old reported lack of time (p=0.008), whereas those over 60 reported low level of physical fitness (p=0.014) as greater exercise barriers than their counterparts. Women reported fatigue as a greater barrier than men (p<0.001). Those who were receiving treatment rated poor health (p=0.0005) and cancer-related factors as greater exercise barriers compared to those who were not receiving treatment. A multivariate model found that other demographic and medical status were not potential factors that may affect exercise participation. Further, for those who were not participating in physical activity, tendency to be physically inactive (p<0.001) and lack of exercise skill (p<0.001) were highly significant barriers, compared to those who were participating in physical activity. Also, for those who were not meeting ACSM guidelines, cancer-related exercise barriers were additionally reported (p<0.001), compared to those who were. Conclusions: Our study suggests that fatigue, low level of physical fitness, and poor health are most reported exercise barriers for Korean colorectal cancer survivors and there are differences in exercise barriers by age, sex, treatment status, and physical activity level. Therefore, support for cancer patients should be provided considering these variables to increase exercise participation.
Keywords: colorectal cancer; exercise; physical activity; barrier
Journal Title: Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume: 15
Issue: 18
ISSN: 1513-7368
Publisher: Asian Pacific Organization Cancer Prevention  
Date Published: 2014-10-01
Start Page: 7539
End Page: 7545
Language: English
DOI: 10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.18.7539
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 25292025
DOI/URL:
Notes: Export Date: 1 December 2014 -- Source: Scopus
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  1. Lee Winston Jones
    177 Jones